Apparatus for stretching hip adductor

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a stretching apparatus for a hip adductor. The stretching apparatus includes a pair of support members for supporting inner portions of both legs; a connecting member for connecting the support members together to stretch the both legs to a predetermined angle and maintain the legs in the stretched position; and joint units each attached to a corresponding one of the support members, the joint unit connected to a terminal end of the connecting member to join the connecting member to the support members. A stretching treatment and practice can be performed to treat a patient having a hip adductor tightness or joint contracture and the stretched position can be maintained without continuous input of manpower.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for stretching a hipadductor by which stretching treatment and practice can be performed totreat a patient having a hip adductor tightness or joint contracture andthe stretched position can be maintained without continuous input ofmanpower.

2. Description of the Related Art

Some conditions such as cerebral palsy and spinal cord injuries areaccompanied with muscle tightness or joint contracture. To treat suchtightness or contracture, at least one therapist stretches thecontractured joint and keeps the stretched position with hands. Inparticular, to stretch a hip adductor or hip adductors, a treatment iscarried out to stretch a patient to a posture as shown in FIG. 7.

The hip adductor is one of inner thigh muscles, which may interferewalking or disable normal walking when become tight. As shown in FIG. 7,to treat the hip adductor, that is, the inner thigh muscle, therapistdraws both legs to spread to a stretched position and maintain thestretched position for a while in order to stretch tight muscles ortreat joint contracture.

However, this is a treatment method that requires the therapists toparticipate with during the entire treatment time for the patient. Thistreatment is a physically arduous task for the therapists and requiresthe input of manpower thereby raising treatment costs. Furthermore, itis difficult to correctly estimate the degree of stretching (e.g.,stretching time and amount of muscles) and thus data can be rarelyobjectified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problems ofthe prior art and therefore an object of certain embodiments of thepresent invention is to provide an apparatus for stretching a hipadductor in which the stretched position can be maintained withoutcontinuous input of manpower during stretching treatment on a hipadductor.

Another object of certain embodiments of the present invention is toprovide an apparatus for stretching a hip adductor by which treatmentdata such as stretching time and amount can be objectively managed toenable a quantified treatment and continuous input of a therapist can beomitted to reduce physical burdens and manpower wastes.

According to an aspect of the invention for realizing the object, theinvention provides a stretching apparatus for a hip adductor. Thestretching apparatus includes a pair of support members for supportinginner portions of both legs; a connecting member for connecting thesupport members together to stretch the both legs to a predeterminedangle and maintain the legs in the stretched position; and joint unitseach attached to a corresponding one of the support members, the jointunit connected to a terminal end of the connecting member to join theconnecting member to the support members.

Preferably, the support members may be configured to support the legsfrom malleolus to thigh. In addition, each of the joint units mayinclude a first support, which is protruded toward another one of thesupport members and has a globe-shaped inner space, and a second supporthaving a globe-shaped portion at one end to be inserted into the innerspace of the first support and a space formed at an opposite portion toreceive the connecting member.

Preferably, each of the joint units may include a support wall having apair of protrusions protruded toward another one of the support membersand a support bar for connecting the protrusions, wherein the connectingmember is terminated with a bent hook, wherein the bent hook is caughtby the support bar to joining the connecting member to the correspondingsupport member. Here, the hook of the joint unit may be bent to form asubstantially closed curve, and wherein the support bar is inserted intothe hook so that the hook joins the connecting member with thecorresponding support member.

Preferably, at least two of the joint units may be provided in upper andlower positions of one of the support members and at least another twoof the joint units may be provided in corresponding positions of theother one of the support members. In addition, the connecting member mayinclude a length-adjusting unit arranged in an intermediate portion ofthe connecting member, the length-adjusting unit capable of adjusting alength of the connecting member to adjust a stretching angle. Here, thelength-adjusting unit may comprise a turn buckle having inner threads ofopposite directions, wherein the connecting member is divided into twosections, each of the connecting member sections having a thread formedat an end facing away from the joint unit, wherein the thread conformsto one of the inner threads of the turn buckle to couple the connectingmember section with the turn buckle.

Alternatively, the length-adjusting unit may comprise a length-adjustingpipe which has a hollow inner space for receiving the connecting membersections and a plurality of through holes, wherein the connecting memberis divided into two sections, each of the connecting member sectionshaving a protrusion arranged at an end facing away from the joint unit,the protrusion capable of elastically protruding from the connectingmember section to be inserted into a corresponding one of the throughholes of the length-adjusting pipe to adjust the length of theconnecting member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of thepresent invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a stretching apparatusaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed view illustrating joint units shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of thejoint units according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of supportmembers of the stretching apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating further another embodiment ofthe support member of the stretching apparatus according to theinvention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a usage of the stretchingapparatus according to the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional stretchingtreatment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodimentsof the invention are shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a stretching apparatusaccording to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus for stretching a hip adductor of theinvention includes support members 1, connecting members 30 and 31 andjoint units 20 for joining the connecting member 30 and 31 with thesupport members 1.

Each of the support members 11 is formed at a predetermined length tosuitably support and with a semicircular cross section to closelycontact inner portions of legs of a patient. The support member 11 mayinclude a buffer inserted into a portion in contact with the leg inorder to alleviate pain that the contact portion gives a patient.

The connecting members 30 are a bar-shaped member to connect the supportmembers 11 at both sides. The connecting members 30 may have a circularcross section, but are not limited to this shape. The connecting members30 serve to separate the support members 11 from each other whilemaintaining the support members 11 in the separated position. For thispurpose, the connecting members 30 are prepared in various lengths sothat one of the connecting members 30 with a specific lengthcorresponding to the degree of spreading of the legs of the patient isselected to connect the support members 11.

At least two of the connecting members may be used as shown in FIG. 1,in which the connecting member 31 in an upper position is shorter thanthe connecting member 30 in a lower position. This structure is touniformly distribute a force of the legs of the patient to return to theoriginal position, that is, a force applied to ends of the connectingmember joined with the support members to both of the support memberswithout being biased to one support member.

The joint units 20 are attached to the support members 11, and functionto connect the connecting members 30 to the support members 11. FIG. 2specifically illustrates a structure of such joint units 20 shown inFIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, each of the joint units 20 includes a first support23 formed in the support member 11. The first support 23 is protrudedfrom the support member 11, and has an inner global space. Preferably,the first support 23 may be formed integrally with the support member11, with its outer contour of a cylinder, a polygonal column and thelike.

The joint unit 20 also includes a second support 35 coupled with thefirst support 23. The second support 35 is provided at one end with aglobe-shaped ball joint 25. The globe-shaped end of the second support35 is inserted into the inner space of the first support 23 to functionas a ball joint. For this purpose, a cover 27 is fitted into the firstsupport 23 in order to prevent any release of the globe-shaped end ofthe second support 35 upon inserted into the first support 23.

The second support 35 also has a bar having a diameter smaller than thatof the ball joint 25, extended from ball joint 25 toward another one ofthe support members 11. The other end of the second support 35 also hasa cylindrical part of a specific diameter extended from the bar so as toreceive the connecting member 30.

With the joint units 20 structured as above, it is possible to connectthe connecting members 30 to the support members 11 to hold the supportmembers 11 even though the distance between the support members 11 areenlarged varying angles with respect to the connecting members.

As the distance between the support members 11 is enlarging, that is,the legs of the patient are being spread, the connecting members can bereplaced with longer ones. In this way, it is possible to performstretching treatment with the legs spread (i.e., a position where hipadductors are stretched).

As shown in FIG. 1, at least two of the connecting members arepreferably joined or connected to the support members 11. If a singlesupport member were used to stand against the load applied inward inresponse to the legs being spread, the member might be fractured or arepulsive force applied to the legs might create severe pain.Accordingly, the connecting members 30 and 31 of different lengths arepreferably selected in view of the angle and length between the supportmembers to uniformly share the load. For this purpose, the joint units20 in one support member are located correspondingly to those in theopposite support member. That is, the connecting members 30 and 31 arearranged in parallel with each other to uniformly share the load.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of thejoint units according to the invention, and FIG. 4 specificallyillustrates the joint units shown in FIG. 3, in which turn buckles areused.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, each of joint units 47 includes a supportwall 46 and a support bar 45 inserted into the support wall 46. Thesupport wall 46 is formed integrally with the support member 11, with apair of protrusions extending at a predetermined length toward anotherone of the support members 11. The protrusions of the support wall 46are spaced from each other at a predetermined gap, which is a hollowspace for receiving the connecting member 40. The support bar 45connects the pair of protrusions of the support wall 46.

In this embodiment, the connecting member 40 is provided at one end witha bent hook 42. The hook 42 may be substantially closed curve-shaped toform a circular pin hole as shown in FIG. 4. In this case, the supportbar 45 is removed out of the support wall 46, the hook 42 is insertedinto the gap between the support walls 46, and the support bar 45 isfixedly inserted into holes of the support wall 46 and the hook 42 tocouple the connecting member 40 with the joint unit 47. That is, thesupport bar 45 acts as a pin. The connecting member 40 is subject to aforce of the support member 11 inwardly driven by legs of a patient.Here, the support bar 45 supports the hook 42, which is subject to theforce from the support member 11. The support bar 45 may be formed thickenough in view of a load applied thereto.

The hook 42 may preferably bent twice into a U shape. With the supportbar 45 inserted into the hook 42, the support member 11 can be jointedor connected with the connecting member 40. In this case, legs of apatient (under a force to be parallel with each other) applyinwardly-oriented force to the support members 11, and the connectingmembers 40 are required to support and maintain the support members 11in the original position. For this purpose, the connecting members 40are connected to the support members 11 by means of the hooks 42 caughtby the support bars 45. Then, in case of stretching treatment, theinside wall of the support wall 46 contacts a terminal end of theconnecting member 40 while the support bar 45 does not apply a force tothe connecting member 40. Preferably, the hook 42 of the connectingmember 40 has a length shorter than that of the protrusions of thesupport wall 46 in order to prevent an escape of the terminal end of theconnecting member 40.

If the hook 42 at the end of the connecting member 40 were shorter thanthe protrusions of the support wall 46, the end of the hook 42 caught bythe support bar 45 might escape from the support bar 45 as the insidewall of the support wall 46 contacts the end of the connecting member40. This can be prevented by the above-described structure. That is,even if the hook 42 touches the inside wall of the support wall 46, theend of the hook 42 does not escape from the support bar 45. Thus, thehook 42 is positively secured not to escape and the support members 11are sufficiently supported by the connecting member 40. Preferably, theterminal end of the connecting member 40 or the hook 42 is bent into asuitable configuration not to be pushed upward or downward to escapefrom the support wall 46.

FIG. 4 illustrates, in its lower part, a length-adjusting unit providedin the connecting member 40 shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 4, the connecting member 40 is divided into twosections. Each of the connecting member 40 sections has threads 48 and49 around an end portion thereof which is not connected to the jointunit 47 (or faces away from the joint unit 47). The treads 48 on thefirst (left) section of the connecting member 40 are formed in oppositedirection from the threads 49 on the second (right) section of theconnecting member 40. The threads 48 and 49 are inserted into a turnbuckle 50 which is provided with female thread groups of oppositedirections at the inside wall. With this configuration, it is possibleto turn the turnbuckle 50 in one direction in order to pull theconnecting member sections connected to the threads thereby decreasingthe length of the connecting member 40. Of course, the turnbuckle 50 canbe turned in the opposite direction to increase the length theconnecting member 40.

FIG. 5 illustrates a length-adjusting unit provided in the connectingmember 30 shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 5, the connecting member 30 is divided into twosections. Each section of the connecting member 30 is provided, at anend which is not connected to the joint unit (or facing away from thejoint unit), with a protrusion 63 and an inner spring 64. The protrusionis configured to elastically protrude out, and the inner spring 64 ismounted inside the connecting member 30 to elastically urge theprotrusion 63 outward. In addition, the length-adjusting unit is of alength-adjusting pipe 60 configured to receive the connecting member 30.The length-adjusting pipe 60 is provided with a plurality of throughholes 64 configured to receive the protrusions 63 of the connectingmember 30. Accordingly, it is possible to adjust the length of theconnecting member 30 by pushing the protrusion 63 to be inserted intoone of the through holes 64 in a suitable position.

While the maneuvers for adjusting the length have been illustrated asabove with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be appreciated thatvarious other length-adjusting maneuvers are adoptable.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a usage of the stretchingapparatus according to the invention.

The stretching apparatus for hip adductors of the invention can be usedto perform a stretching treatment on patients having muscle tightness orjoint contracture owing to cerebral palsy or stroke. To perform astretching treatment with the legs of a patient are spread at a certainangle, the legs should be maintained in the spread position, which hasbeen carried out manually by a physiotherapist in the prior art.

According to the invention, the support members 11 are attached to thelegs of the patient, which are spread at a specific angle, and connectedwith the connecting members 40 to maintain the legs in the spreadposition as shown in FIG. 6. The degree of muscle tightness or jointcontracture of the patient makes the angle of the spread legs be variedand thereby the length of the connecting members 40 and 41 be adjusted.For this purpose, the connecting member itself includes thelength-adjusting unit so as to be adjusted in length by itself.Alternatively, a plurality of connecting members may be provided atdifferent lengths so that those of suitable lengths are used in turns.

To stretch a hip adductor or hip adductors, the legs of the patientshould be stretched with knees straightened. For this purpose, thesupport members are required to contact the legs at a sufficient length,and preferably, at one ends thereof, to contact the legs from just abovemalleolus. The support members are also required to have a sufficientlength so that other ends thereof can contact thighs. The malleolus ofthe legs may prevent the support members from easily escaping from thelegs. In addition, Velcro tapes may be attached to the support membersto wrap around the support members and the legs of the patient in orderto secure the attachment members to the legs. In case of using theVelcro tapes, the support members can be provided in various lengths,which are not limited to a section from malleolus to thigh.

According to this disclosure as set forth above, in a stretchingtreatment on a hip adductor, legs of a patient can be spread andmaintained in the spread position so that the stretching treatment canbe carried out without continuous input of manpower. As advantageouseffects, manpower management can be optimized and treatment time andcosts can be saved.

In addition, the degree of stretching of a hip adductor of a patient canbe correctly measured through conversion from the length of theconnecting member, and thereby the patient can be treated in a stepwisemanner.

Furthermore, the stretching apparatus has a simple structure to be usedand fabricated easily.

While the present invention has been described with reference to theparticular illustrative embodiments and the accompanying drawings, it isnot to be limited thereto but will be defined by the appended claims. Itis to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can substitute,change or modify the embodiments into various forms without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the present invention.

1. A stretching apparatus for a hip adductor, the apparatus comprising:a pair of support members for supporting inner portions of legs of auser; a connecting member wherein the connecting member connects thesupport members together wherein the support members stretch the legs ofthe user to a predetermined angle wherein the support members maintainthe legs in a stretched position; and joint units wherein each of thejoint units is attached to a corresponding one of the support memberswherein each of the joint units is connected to a terminal end of theconnecting member wherein each of the joint units joins the connectingmember to the support members.
 2. The stretching apparatus of claim 1wherein the support members are configured to support the legs of theuser from a malleolus of each leg of the user to a thigh of each leg theuser.
 3. The stretching apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a firstsupport wherein the first support protrudes toward one of the supportmembers wherein the first support member has a globe-shaped inner space;and a second support wherein the second support has a globe-shapedportion at one end of the second support wherein the globe-shapedportion is inserted into the inner space of the first support wherein aspace is formed at an opposite end of the second support wherein thespace receives the connecting member.
 4. The stretching apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising: a support wall on each of the joint unitswherein the support wall has a pair of protrusions wherein the pair ofprotrusions protrude toward one of the support members wherein thesupport wall has a support bar for connecting the protrusions whereinthe connecting member terminates with a bent hook wherein the supportbar catches the bent hook wherein the bent hook and the support bar jointhe connecting member one of the support members.
 5. The stretchingapparatus of claim 4 wherein the bent hook bends to form a substantiallyclosed curve wherein the support bar inserts into the bent hook andjoins the connecting member with the support member.
 6. The stretchingapparatus of claim 1 wherein at least two of the joint units areprovided in upper and lower positions of one of the support memberswherein at least another two of the joint units are provided incorresponding positions of the other one of the support members.
 7. Thestretching apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a length-adjustingunit arranged in an intermediate portion of the connecting memberwherein the length-adjusting unit adjusts a length of the connectingmember to change a stretching angle.
 8. The stretching apparatus ofclaim 7 further comprising: a turn buckle having inner threads ofopposite directions and further wherein the connecting member is dividedinto two sections wherein each of the sections of the connecting memberhas a thread formed at an end of the connecting member facing away fromthe joint unit wherein the thread conforms to one of the inner threadsof the turn buckle wherein the thread couples the section of theconnecting member with the turn buckle.
 9. The stretching apparatus ofclaim 7 further comprising: a length-adjusting pipe wherein thelength-adjusting pipe has a hollow inner space wherein the hollow innerspace receives the sections of the connecting member and a plurality ofthrough holes wherein the connecting member is divided into two sectionswherein each of the sections of the connecting member has a protrusionarranged at an end of the section of the connecting member wherein theend of the section faces away from the joint unit wherein the protrusionelastically protrudes from the section of the connecting member whereinthe protrusion is inserted into a corresponding one of the through holesof the length-adjusting pipe to adjust the length of the connectingmember.